Geoff Schultz, Ed.D.

Professor Emeritus, Education

Introduction

Geoff Schultz served as a professor and department head in undergraduate teacher preparation. He taught for nineteen years at PNW before his retirement in 2022, and he is also a trained CAEP board examiner.

Research Overview

Schultz’s research has focused on intrinsic motivation and academic learning and how these motives impact children’s achievement, particularly in students with special needs. He has also published papers investigating factors affecting biased decision-making in special education due process hearings. He served as a state hearing officer for 10 years

I taught children with special needs for eight years in suburbs of Chicago – Wheaton and Downers Grove – as well as Rockford, Illinois. I was also a three-year varsity coach of high school basketball!

Teaching Focus

• Disability Law
• Developmental Psychology
• Special Education Assessment

Previous Roles

• Division Chair, Education, Benedictine University
• Associate Dean, Education, Indiana University Northwest
• Head, Teacher Preparation, Purdue University Northwest
• Chair, Faculty Senate, 2017-18
• Vice Chair, Faculty Senate, 2015-17

Schultz served twelve years in the PNW faculty senate, including a one-year term as senate chair.